Crooked teeth are a problem. They get in the way of your highest confidence, downgrade your smile, and even affect your oral health. Many people know this. And yet, there is still a strong aversion to braces. This is evident by the number of people who choose to forego any treatment at all for misaligned teeth. It is also revealed by the popularity of treatment protocols that do not require the use of brackets and wires to straighten teeth. Invisalign is a prime example of such treatment.

Benefits of Invisalign:

Invisalign is often discussed for its obvious benefits, like letting patients eat whatever they’d like. If you’ve looked into this treatment, you are probably well-aware of what it can achieve. It’s also important to know what to expect when progressing toward your best smile.

Straightening teeth with Invisalign doesn’t mean reaching your goal faster. Yes, Invisalign may work quickly in some cases of mild misalignment. So would braces, though. The objective of treatment is not to expedite the process, but to make it a little easier on the patient.

Staining is a real risk. Adults who love to sip on a morning cup of coffee may find that they have to curb their habits when they start Invisalign. Patients cannot leave aligners out of the mouth for long periods of time. Additionally, you cannot drink colored beverages while wearing aligners. This means drinking one cup at a given time and then putting aligners back into place – after rinsing the mouth with water, of course.

“Comfort” is a subjective word. When we’re comparing smooth plastic aligners to braces, one will come out a winner. When we’re talking about comfort in general, we need to be honest and say that patients should not expect for Invisalign treatment to be complete without potentially uncomfortable sensations. The teeth are moving, after all.

There’s a hidden benefit. Interestingly enough, many adults who straighten their teeth with Invisalign also notice that they drop a few pounds. This is likely when there has been a strong snacking habit that is curbed due to the presence of aligners. Talk about a win-win!

We would love to meet you in person to discuss how you can benefit from Invisalign treatment. Call(503) 397-6144 to arrange your consultation.

Invisalign has been creating straighter smiles for several years now. Since inception, this modern orthodontic system has been refined more than once. Today, teens and adults have the opportunity to change the landscape of their mouths in the best possible way – without anyone knowing! The barely-there appearance of Invisalign is one of the several advantages that patients experience on their way to a better smile. However, there are also pitfalls that need to be known.

In the planning phase of Invisalign treatment, it is important that patients prepare themselves for what’s to come. A healthier smile is expected, but if oral care falls to the wayside even just a little, there is a good chance that teeth may sustain unnecessary damage throughout the process.

The Erosion of Healthy Teeth

One of the most common issues that most of us face is the possibility of cavities. The message that most of us have received since childhood has been that we better take care of our teeth or we will get painful cavities. Unfortunately, tooth decay continues to be a struggle for patients of all ages. More concerning, it has been joined by another: erosion. And, for patients who wear Invisalign, this risk is exacerbated.

There is a reason for the surge in tooth erosion in recent years. The foods and beverages that are consumed nearly daily, if not several times a day, are acidic. Enamel is a very durable substance, but it can deteriorate under the continual coverage of any acid. Where do these acids come from? Soda, coffee, salad dressing, even fruit juice. These and other common products are preserved or given flavor with ingredients such as ascorbic acid. Acid is acid. When it sits on your teeth, the enamel will weaken. When enamel weakens, teeth become sensitive and discolored. They are also more susceptible to cracks and other damage.

What Does Invisalign Have to do with Erosion?

Patients who wear Invisalign wear tooth-straightening aligners over their teeth almost 24/7. The less oxygen that reaches teeth, the more vulnerable they are to the effects of acidic ingredients. Oral care becomes even more important, as if that were possible when going through this braces-free treatment for a straighter smile. In addition to brushing and flossing as recommended by your dentist, also rinse your mouth with water before inserting aligners after eating or drinking.

Schedule a Consultation

Learn more about Invisalign from your St. Helens dentists. Contact us today at (503) 397-6144 to schedule a consultation.